Finite-Size Scaling in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

We argue that systems created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, which are well-described by hydrodynamics, exhibit scale-free behavior. Therefore, certain heavy-ion collision observables are amenable to a finite-size scaling analysis. We argue that over large regions of the phase diagram where scaling with mean-field critical exponents applies, there are no relevant scales other than the system size and the distance to the critical point. We use model simulations to test this hypothesis, and briefly summarize the result of applying finite-size scaling analysis to proton number cumulants measured in BES-I.